Rockford man hurt in crash

GROVER HILL - A Rockford man suffered serious burns after the semitrailer he was driving was reportedly struck by a car and caught fire.

Thomas L. Snell was flown by Mercy Life Flight to St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo following the accident in Paulding County, according to a news release from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Officers responded to a call of a serious two vehicle injury accident that occurred at 2:49 p.m. Wednesday.

Lilianna A. Egia, Defiance, was reportedly operating a black 2014 Ford Focus eastbound on County Road 72. A white 2013 Freightliner semitrailer hauling scrap steel operated by Snell was traveling southbound on State Route 637.

Egia's vehicle reportedly entered the intersection at State Route 637, which Snell's vehicle struck. The semitrailer exited the left side of the roadway, overturned, spilled its load of steel and caught fire, according to the release.

Egia's vehicle exited the right side of the roadway and came to a rest just south of the intersection, per the release.

Snell suffered serious burns as a result of the fire. Egia reportedly suffered minor injuries and was transported by Oakwood EMS to Defiance Regional Medical Center.

Officials in the release did not state if either occupant was wearing a seat belt or if the crash was due to distracted or impaired driving.

The crash remains under investigation. The Ohio State Highway Patrol in the release reminded motorists to always wear seat belts and to never drive distracted or impaired.

Also assisting at the scene were the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, Oakwood EMS, Grover Hill Fire Department and Rescue, Ohio Department of Transportation, Paulding County Emergency Management Agency, Gideon's Towing and Recovery and John's Towing and Recovery.